Turkey Faces Severe Media Backlash and Coach Vincenzo Montella Under Fire After 3-0 Defeat to Belgium
Turkey national team head coach Vincenzo Montella is facing mounting pressure after his side suffered a 3-0 defeat against Belgium at Sclessin in Liège, leaving the squad with zero points in Nations League A. The official international fixture marked the first meeting between the two nations in 15 years, but the aftermath brought severe criticism from Turkish media outlets and travelling supporters alike.
The latest loss compounds a disappointing run following a difficult World Cup group-stage exit. According to reports from Turkish media outlets, the mounting poor results have intensified scrutiny on the Italian manager. In 39 matches under Montella, the national team has suffered three consecutive defeats for the first time, while Montella also became the first foreign coach in 33 years—since Sepp Piontek—to lose three matches in a row, as detailed by Hürriyet.
Coverage from Sabah added that Turkey is paying a high price for retaining Montella after failures at the World Cup, criticizing the coach’s tactical organization and frequent changes to lineups and systems. Het Nieuwsblad noted further defensive frailties, highlighting that Turkey has conceded the opening goal in each of its last six matches since the World Cup.
Fan Protests and Erupting Crisis at the Top in Liège
The atmosphere inside the stadium turned hostile during the closing stages as Belgium secured their 3-0 victory. Supporters with Turkish roots seated in the stands chanted for Montella to leave his post, echoing similar fan discontent heard during a recent 4-1 home defeat to Italy. Sözcü reported that fan dissatisfaction has grown steadily throughout the campaign.
The friction extended beyond the coaching staff. Fans on the main stands also directed chants at bondsvoorzitter Ibrahim Haciosmanoglu, demanding his resignation. Supporters mocked leadership by chanting a reference to promised villas for players following World Cup qualification. Haciosmanoglu left the stadium through a back door before the final whistle amid the heavy protests.
Yordi Yamali, who follows Turkish football for ESPN, described a deeper structural crisis within Turkish football, pointing to distractions surrounding players prior to the World Cup—such as social media activity and podcasts—followed by disappointing performances on the pitch against opponents like Australia and Paraguay.
Montella Defends Players Amid Mounting Questions
Speaking after the match, Montella sought to shield his players from blame while addressing the realities of competing in Europe’s top tier. “It’s a shame for our fans. We go out on the pitch and play with heart and soul, so there’s no point in blaming the players,” Montella said. “Nobody is to blame, I too fight with heart and soul.”
Montella also emphasized the jump in competition level within Nations League A. “Then you cannot make mistakes. Opponents do not let those lucky chances slip away. Playing at this level is not a punishment, it is a privilege. I don’t blame my players. You simply have to accept differences in levels in football, and Nations League A certainly falls under that,” he added.
Yamali also questioned squad selection patterns, noting Montella’s continued reliance on specific players such as central defender Samet Akaydin of Trabzonspor, which has sparked ongoing debates regarding tactical autonomy.
Turkey prepares to face Italy in its final fixture of the current international break. That match will proceed without suspended star players Arda Güler and Baris Alper Yilmaz, both of whom picked up their second yellow cards of the Nations League campaign.
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